Friends Creator Marta Kauffman Hits Out At Cast’s “Ridiculous” Salaries

The creator of Friends, Marta Kauffman, has admitted that she thinks the cast were overpaid.  Cast members of the hilarious sitcom hit headlines back in 2002 when they successfully negotiated a sweet $1 million-per-episode deal. Marta is now working on Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie.  While many thought the wages were extortionate, the 'Friends' negotiated on the grounds of high ratings and major syndicate deals. However, now the show's creator has revealed that she agrees with those who thought the wages were "ridiculous". The cast and crew back in 2004.  Speaking at the Television Critics' Association press conference in Los Angeles, Marta compared the Emmy award-winning show to her Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie. She said: "It's a different situation. Advertisers aren't pandering to us or the network. All we're doing is making the show we want and that we believe in. "But let's be honest, that's a lot of money. "$1 million dollars an episode is kinda ridiculous. "I think it's inflated. And there's something unrealistic about it." The cast were paid $1 million per episode before the show wrapped.  "Not everybody is going to get a million dollars an episode. "So I think actually what we're all doing now (making shorter seasons) is actually more reasonable and makes more sense." Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Matt Le Blanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer wrapped on Friends back in 2004.